New York Times Current History: The European War from the Beginning to March 1915, Vol 1, No. 2: Who Began the War, and Why?Various
History
New York Times Current History: The European War from the Beginning to March 1915, Vol 1, No. 2: Who Began the War, and Why?
Various
World War, 1914-1918
Little has as yet been said of Great Britain. It was Germany's
conviction that the sincerity of Britain's love for peace could be
trusted. At any rate, Sir Edward Grey and Mr. Asquith asserted again and
again in the course of the last few years that England wished friendly
relations with Germany and never would lend its support to a
Franco-Russian attack on Germany. Now this attack had been made; Germany
was on the defensive against two powerful enemies. What would Great
Britain do about it? That was the question. Great Britain asked in
return for its neutrality that the German forces should not enter
Belgium. In other words, it asked that Germany should allow the French
and Belgian troops to form on Belgian territory for a march against our
frontier! This we could not allow. It would have been suicidal. The
German Government made Great Britain, in return for its neutrality, the
following offers: we would not attack the northern coast of France, we
would leave unmolested the maritime commerce of France and would
indemnify Belgium after the war and safeguard its sovereignty and
integrity. In spite of this Great Britain declared war on Germany and
sides today with those Continental powers that have united for our
destruction, in order that Muscovite barbarism may rule Europe. We know
that Germany did not deserve such treatment on the part of Great
Britain, and do not believe that Great Britain by this action did a
service to humanity and civilization.
Today we are facing hard facts. Germany has to fight for her existence.
She will fight knowing that the great powers beyond the ocean will do
her justice as soon as they know the truth.
* * * * *
REICHSTAG AND EMPEROR.
England, France, and Russia, unthreatened by Germany, go to war for
political reasons--Germany defends her independence and fights for her
very existence, for her future as a great power--How a peaceful people
were imbued with the spirit of war.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account